New Delhi: Winter has started approaching and pressing the severe alarm button of air pollution as well. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued new guidelines to combat air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby areas. These updated rules are part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which aims to take stricter actions to decrease air pollution.
The new guidelines will be issued after the forecast of daily weather and air quality in Delhi and NCR. Action will be taken as per the situation. One of the vital proposals by GRAP is to hike the parking charges to drop the number of vehicles on the road, which will help in reducing the air pollution.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change was the first to introduce the GRAP in January 2017, recommended by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Since then it has been an important tool in controlling air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region. Several updates have been taken in GRAP to face new environmental challenges and improve its effectiveness.
CAQM issued an order on September 17, 2024 enforcing the new GRAP rules. Under Stage III of GRAP, when the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds 400, the following measures will be enforced:
All inter-state buses from NCR states (except electric, CNG, and BS-VI diesel buses) will be banned from entering Delhi. Strict bans on construction and demolition activities across the NCR. Mining-related activities will be suspended.
Authorities may consider shifting to online classes for students up to Class V. Daily water sprinkling on major roads will take place to reduce dust.
